Spruce Siding (formerly Sadlow): A Ukrainian Settlement in Reynolds
Spruce Siding, originally known as Sadlow, is a historic rural community located east of Winnipeg in the Rural Municipality of Reynolds off Hwy #11 to RD 50N. Established in the early 1910s by Ukrainian immigrants, the settlement was named after the Sadlowski family and later renamed for the spruce trees in the area and the railway siding built along the Greater Winnipeg Water District (GWWD) line.
At the heart of the community stood the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, built in 1920–21 by local settlers. Its iconic onion dome and traditional design reflected the deep faith and cultural pride of the community. A nearby cemetery, first used in 1917, still stands as a quiet reminder of the early pioneers who shaped the area.
Education was also a central value in Spruce Siding. The Spruce School, a one-room schoolhouse operated under the Birch River Municipal School District, served the children of local farm families until its closure in 1962. The building was later converted into a private residence, though remnants of its educational past remain.
Another cornerstone of the community was the Spruce Siding Post Office, which opened in 1924 and operated for nearly 45 years. Staffed by local residents, it served as a vital connection between the settlement and the wider province until its closure in 1969.
Though much of the original infrastructure has disappeared, the legacy of Spruce Siding lives on through local memory, historical records, and efforts to preserve its story. The community remains a meaningful part of the region’s Ukrainian heritage and rural history.
You can view or download the full paper here written by a student from Spruce Siding:
Spruce Siding: A Ukrainian Heritage – Full Paper (PDF)
